Tanga's Mangrove Boardwalk refurbished to boost Eco-Tourism

More than £150,000 has been invested into infrastructural changes at the Tanaga Mangrove Boardwalk to enhance its tourism potential. Located on the Indian Ocean coastline, a 350-metre wooden bridge that cuts through the mangroves and is designed to enable great photography, along with a specialised fish-market; seafood restaurant; and modern toilet block have all been created to increase the appeal of the eco-friendly tourism attraction.

The walkway also serves as a docking bay for boats and dhows, allowing for a host of other water activities, as Michael Charles, TFS Tourism Officer for the Mangrove Boardwalk explained, "As well as enjoying a fascinating walk through the mangroves, visitors can also boat cruise, sport-fish and swim"

The site's development has been completed over two distinct phases, in order to minimise environmental disruption and avoid large scale deforestation. The site now harmonises well with the mangrove ecosystem.

At the completion of Phase One - funded by the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) , almost 20,000 visitors came to the Boardwalk, predominantly local Tanzanians.

With Phase Two now completed thanks to investment from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), the site's growing popularity emphasises the growing interest in eco-tourism across the country.

Pleasingly, the Mangrove Boardwalk is contributing to the local economy and creating new job opportunities for local communities (including jobs in hospitality, guiding and conservation).